I give this 3.5 stars. This book has a very charming old school type of feel to it that I absolutely adored. Eighteen year old Sophie, gets cursed by the Wicked Witch of the Waste. As a result, Sophie decides to strike out on her own and find her own destiny. She ends up coming across Howl’s Castle and ends up meeting a colorful cast of characters: Howl, Michael, and Calcifer.

The book warns that nothing is as it seems and that is very true. At first I did not like Howl, but after awhile he soon grew on me and by the end of the book I found him endearing. There was a couple of twist and turns that I enjoyed. Overall it was a charming book and even though this is part of a series it stands well on its own.